Vard Marine (VARD) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Askeri Fabrika ve Tersane İşletme A.Ş. (ASFAT) in Turkey for a strategic partnership.
According to the MoU, VARD will provide the design for a wide range of paramilitary vessels and ASFAT will coordinate the construction of select projects at approved naval shipyards in Turkey.
The MoU provides VARD with an opportunity to expand operations in the region and to collaborate with other companies in both Canada and Turkey.
VARD president and CEO Dave McMillan said: “We are proud to have been selected for this prestigious partnership by ASFAT and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship, providing ship design services for indigenous naval and coast guard programs, as well as other international opportunities that benefit both parties.”
With offices in Canada, USA and Vietnam, VARD specialises in the development of advanced technology and its application to offshore, paramilitary and specialised vessel designs.
The company also offers ship design, engineering and shipbuilding technology services to the marine community in North America and some international markets.
Vard Group AS subsidiary Vard Marine is one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialised vessels.
Based in Alesund, Norway, VARD’s majority stakeholder is Fincantieri S.p.A. Headquartered in Trieste, Italy, Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups.
The group constructed more than 7,000 vessels over its 200 years of maritime history.
Fincantieri is a leader in cruise ship design and construction and a reference point in all high-tech shipbuilding industry sectors, including naval, offshore and high-complexity special vessels, ferries, mega yachts, ship repairs and conversions, systems, as well as mechanical and electrical component equipment production and after-sales services.
ASFAT was formed within the body of Ministry of National Defense in Turkey in 2018. Its purpose is to manage and utilise the facilities and capabilities of the 27 military factories and three naval shipyards that serve the global defense industry.
The organisation’s general board is headed by the minister of National Defense while the chair of executive board is the deputy minister.
ASFAT is authorised to utilise 30 defense industry factories, maintenance and repair centres and the team of more than 27,000 staff members.
The company operates by taking orders from both public and private customers, as well as national and international purchasers.
ASFAT also provides common production and design solutions, conducts research and development activities and improves the conditions of military factories and shipyards.
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